India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
